MARTIN THOMAS BUSTED IN BODMIN AND LISKEARD FOR VIOLATING RESTRAINING ORDER AND ATTACKING GIRLFRIEND

In November 2019, a disturbing incident involving a young man named Martin Thomas unfolded in the towns of Bodmin and Liskeard, highlighting issues of domestic violence and legal breaches. The case began when Thomas, aged 19, was involved in a violent altercation with his girlfriend at a flat in Looe during the early hours of October of the previous year. The confrontation was reportedly sparked by a dispute over Thomas flirting with his partner's sister, which escalated into a physical struggle.

According to court records, the fight between Thomas and his girlfriend was intense. The pair pushed and shoved each other, with the woman attempting to defend herself by biting Thomas's arm, which resulted in blood being drawn. In a moment of rage, Thomas reached into his back pocket and retrieved a bottle of vodka. Without warning, he struck his girlfriend multiple times over the head with the bottle, causing a severe injury that required ten stitches. The attack left her bleeding heavily through her hair, underscoring the brutality of the assault.

Following this incident, Thomas was subjected to a community order and was placed under a restraining order that prohibited him from making any contact with his girlfriend. Despite these legal restrictions, Thomas's actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for the court's directives. A year later, he appeared before Truro Crown Court to face charges of breaching the restraining order. Prosecutor Ramsay Quaife detailed the events of October 4, when police responded to concerns raised by neighbors and the victim herself. Officers found Thomas hiding in a bathroom at his residence in Liskeard, attempting to conceal his face with pyjamas. When questioned, he claimed that the situation was under control and insisted, “all this is in the process of being stopped, we both love each other, can’t you see?”

Despite the court's decision to lift the restraining order on October 18, allowing the couple to reconcile, Thomas's actions proved otherwise. The court was informed that he had breached the order on three separate occasions by showing up at his partner’s address while the order was still in effect. These violations underscored his persistent failure to adhere to legal restrictions meant to protect his partner from harm.

Judge Robert Linford addressed the court, emphasizing the seriousness of Thomas's breaches. He stated, “You were made subject of a restraining order some time ago. If a judge makes a restraining order it is put into place for a reason. You have failed to comply with it repeatedly. You just don’t care. Because you wanted to see this person, regardless of what anyone said, you were going to do just that. This was an erroneous approach.”

In sentencing, the judge acknowledged that Thomas had already served time since his arrest, which would typically warrant a more lenient sentence. However, he decided to impose a community order that included 150 hours of unpaid work, a ten-day rehabilitation activity requirement, and participation in a Thinking Skills Programme. The judge warned Thomas that any failure to comply with these conditions would result in a prison sentence, potentially as long as the law allows, underscoring the court’s intent to enforce compliance and protect victims from further harm.